US2608175A - Pocket burglar alarm - Google Patents

Description

ug. 26, 1952 A. J. coNoLLY 2,608,175

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L `I l /7 l 3 fm1/Apr: ,y '37 I LCLJ 3M r Q /an Cono/ly I 70 S \l\l\ x 1 62 2M mlmn ug- 26, 1952 A. J. coNoLLY POCKET BURGLAR ALARM 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1949 Allan J Cano/Z] Patenled Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' POCKET BURGLAR ALARM Allan J. Conolly, Stillwater, Minn.

Application August 20, 1949, Serial No. 111,545

My invention relates to an improvement in pocket burglar alarm wherein it is desired to provide a means of preventing unauthorized removal of articles from a pocket.

The device is particularly useful in preventing the theft of a wallet or bill fold from the hip pocket. Each year much valuable property is stolen from the pockets of clothes by pick pockets and the like.

The object ofthe present invention lies in the provision of a simple device which may be attached to opposite sides of a pocket and serve as a closure for the pocket. When the device is in locked position the pocket can not be opened without giving notice to this effect. As a result valuables may be safely carried in the pocket without danger of theft or accidental loss.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an alarm which requires inward pressure toward and upon the body in order to open the pocket. As a result the pocket can not be opened without pressing the alarm device against the body and producing an indication that the device is being unlocked.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a device which may be placed in either a fully locked condition or a partially locked condition. When in fully locked condition the pocket cannot be opened without manipulating portions of the device which are normally concealed. Thus when the device is in fully locked position, it is virtually impossible for an unauthorized person to open the pocket without warning. When in partially locked position the device may be opened by applying inward pressure Von the proper portions of the device and by producing an inward force against the body.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that inward pressure against thenlocking apparatus must be resisted by a solid object such as by a portionof the human body. Inward pressure against the locking apparatus will merely move the locking device toward the body until it engages against the body. vWhen further movement of the locking device is resisted, further inward pressure acts to unlock the device.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a locking device which comprises a pair of pivotally supported gates which clamp a locking member therebetween in locked position of the apparatus. The spreading or pivoting of these gates is resisted by suitable spring means. In order to pivot the gates into open position it is necessary to press inwardly 8 Claims. (Cl. 116-84) thereupon near opposite sides of the pocket. This inward pressure urges the apparatus against the body and therefore provides a warning that the pocket is being opened. This denitely prevents opening the latch without pressing the device against the body, as by attempting to press on the gates and simultaneously pulling on the latch since the persons body must resist inward movement of the device before the gates can fulcrum about their respective pivots.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a lock for definitely preventing the pivotal movement or spreading apart of the spring urged latch gates. Pivotal movement of the gates is normally prevented by a slidable latch which is slidable in the path of movement of portions of the gates. The pivoting of the latch gates is prevented until the slidablevelement has been moved relative to the remainder of the apparatus. Such movement may be imparted only by pressing the apparatus inwardly against the body. As a result the latch gates can not be 'pivoted without first pressing the device inwardly against the body.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification' and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specication:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of my apparatus in completely locked position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the device, the position of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the apparatus on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the device on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus in partially unlocked position.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the apparatus in completely unlocked position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus showing the construction thereof.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus.

The pocket burglar alarm A includes a channel shaped body I0 having a top flange Il, a bottom flange l2, and a vertical connecting flange I3. A generally cylindrical-spring I4 is secured to the vertical ange I3 by rivets I5 or other suitable fastening means, as will be seen from Figure 5. The spring I4 is vertically split at the center on its forward edge as indicated at I6. The spring I4 normally assumes the generally cylindrical form' illustrated but the sides of the spring may spread apart on opposite sides of the split I6.

A pair of wings or gates I1 and I 9 are pivotally connected to the channel shaped body I0. Spaced vertical pivots 20 and 2| are provided to connect the wings I1 and I9 to the body I0. The wings I1 and I9 are similarly formed and arranged in opposed relation. The Wing I1 includes a front panel 22 having a forwardly projecting ridge 23 at its outer end. The end of the panel 22 is riveted or otherwise connected as indicated at 24 to the spring I4 on one side of the center split I 6. The wing I1 includes a curved rearwardly extending end 25 which is divided longitudinally to provide a center barrel 26 and a pair of spaced projecting fingers 21 and 29. The barrel 26 accommodates the pivot 29 for pivotally connecting the wing to the body I0.

The wing I9 also includes a front'panel 30 having a free edge riveted tothe spring I4 asindicated at 3|. The rivets 24. and 3| extend through portions of the spring I4 on opposite sides of the split I6 so that the. spring I4i normally holds the wings I1 and I9 in endabutting relation as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

The wing I9 includes a forwardly extending portion 32 which connects the panel 30 with the rearwardly curved portion. 33. The portion 33 is longitudinally cut to divide the end of the wing into a central barrel 34- and a pair of spaced pro-I jecting ears 35 and 36. The barrel 34 accommodates the pivot'l 2l for pivotally connecting the wing I9 to the body I0.

From the foregoing explanation it will be clear that the wingsY I1 and I9 normally are held together under spring tension in end abutting relation. An aperture 31 is formed in the abutting edges of the wing panels 22' and. 3! and inthe spring I4, the aperture being partially in one of the wings and partially in the other. The aperture 31 is designed toy accommodate the shank 39 of a locking fastener 40. The locking fastener 4I) is provided with. a cone-shaped head 4I. and an attaching or anchoring plate 42.' at the opposite end of the shank.

When the locking fastener 40 is to be attached to the remaining portion of the apparatus the cone shaped head 4I is inserted into theaperture 31, the aperture serving to guide the locking fasteners into place. By pressing the locking fastener inwardly the cone-shaped head acts to force the wings I1 and I9 apart until the head is inwardly of the spring I4. The spring then draws the wings I1 and I9 together under spring tension to lock the head of thev locking fastener engaged. The locking fastener 40v can not be disengaged from between the wings I1 andV I9 until these wings are pivoted in such a manner'as. to separate their abutting edges as indicated'inFig.- ure 7 of the drawings. A. coil spring 43 is provided Within the spring I4; and anchored to the wall ofv the spring opposite. to the aperture 31. This spring 43 presses against. the head 4I and tends to disengage the locking fastener. from the spring when the wings I1 and` I9 are pivoted apart.

The apparatus thus described may act as a pocket lock if the fastener 40 is secured to one wall of the pocket and the body I is secured to the opposite wall of the pocket. In order to disengage the fastener 40 it is necessary to pivot the Wings I1 and I9 in a manner to spread apart the abutting ends of these wings. In order to spread apart the wings, it is necessary to press rearwardly on the wings near the forwardly projecting ends 23 and 32 thereof. This pressure against the wings must be resisted by pressure of the body I0 against the human body thereby providing an alarm that the pocket is being opened.

In order to make sure that pressure against the. body is required to pivot the wings I1 and I9 I' provide a supplemental locking apparatus to prevent the pivoting of the wings until pressure against the body is applied. In Figure 9 of the drawings I disclose a channel shaped body 44 having'a top panel 45, a bottom panel 46 and a vertical connecting panel 41. The top and bottom panels 45 and 46 are spaced apart just sufiiciently to accommodate the body I0, the top and bottom panels of the member 44 sliding forwardly and rearwardly of the top and bottom panels of the body ID'. A pair of parallel slots 49 and 56 are provided in opposed relation in the top panel II and the bottom panel I2 of the body I0. Guide ears 5I are struck downwardly from the top panel 45 and extend through the slots 49 and 5i! of this top panel II. Similar guiding ears 52 are struck upwardly from the bottom. panel 46 to extend through the slots 49 and 50 of the bottom panel I2. These ears 5I and 52 limit'the movement of. the locking member 44 relative to the body I9 and permit-limited forward and rea-rward sliding movement.

Springs 53 are provided betweeny the vertical wall 41 of the locking member 44 and the vertical Wall I3 of the body III. These springs 53 normally urge the locking member 44- rearwardly to its rearward extreme position illustrated in Figures 1 and 6 of the drawings. In Figure 1 of the drawings it will be noted that the extensions such as 21 and 29 of the wing I1 and the extensions 35 and 36 of the Wing I9 engage against the ears 5I and 52 and prevent the wings from pivoting when the locking member- 44 is in its normal position. In other words, thev ears 5I projecting downwardly from the top panel 45 and the ears 52 projecting upwardly from the bottomA panel 46 extend in the path of movement of the projections 21, 2-9, 35, and 36of the wings I1 and I9 soy that the wings are positively held from pivotal motion when the. locking member 44 is in its usual position. In that Figure. 1 is a plan view, it is to be understood that only the uppermost elements can be designated. Since elements 29, 36 and 52 lie directly beneath elements 21, 35 and 5I, one should refer to Figures 8 and 9 for their locations. If the springs 53 are compressed and the channel shaped locking member 44 is moved forwardly with respect to the body III, the ears 5I and 52 are moved out of the path of movement of the. projections of the wings and the wings arepermitted. to pivot.

The operation. of this additional locking means is believed clearly understandable from the foregoing description. The locking member 44 is movable between an extended position and a. contracted position. Springs 53 urge the locking member into its rearward or extended position. In this position ears I5I and 52` of the locking member 44 are moved into the path of movement of the projections 21, 29, 35 and 36 of the wings I1 and I9. Thus the wings are definitely held from pivotal movement and it is impossible to pivot the wings and to disengage the locking member 40 engaged therein.

However, if inward pressure is exerted against the wings I1 and I9, the locking member'44 is pressed against the body and the springs 53 are compressed. VThe compression of the springs 53 permits the locking member 44 to slide forwardly toward its other eXtreme position, sliding the ears 5I and 52 out of the path of the wing projections 21, 29, 35 and 36. Further rearward force against the outer ends of the wings I1 and I9 may next pivot these wings so as to move the abutting ends of the wings apart, thereby permitting disengagement of the fastener 40.

It will be noted that the wings have a tendency to swing forwardly at their connection with the spring I4 as they pivot about their respective pivots. The movement of the wings is relatively short and the spring I4 is capable of flexing sufciently to accommodate this action.

A positive latching device is also provided to prevent the operation of the apparatus even though inward pressure is exerted against the Wings I1 and I9. I provide a swingable wire locking means to each end of the locking member 44 as illustrated in the drawings. The positive latches 54 and 55 comprise substantially U- shaped wire bails having parallel arms 48 and 56 and a connecting portion 59. The free ends of the arms 56 are turned inwardly in opposed relation as indicated at 51, these ends 51 extending into opposed apertures in the top and bottom panels 45 and 46 of the locking member 44 near opposite ends thereof. The locking members 54 and 55 are swingable from unlocked position illustrated in Figures 6 and '1 of the drawings to locked position shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings. In locked position the locking members 54 and 55 are generally parallel and the connecting portions 59 thereof are against the vertical panel I3 of the body Ill. The side edges of the top and bottom panels 45 and 46 are notched as indicated at 6I) and 6| to permit the locking members 54 and 55 to be swung into the position shown in Figure 1. Rearwardly extending projections 58 on the vertical wall I3 of the body I0 engage the vertical portions 59 of the locking members 54 and '55 to hold these members from accidental disengagement. When in this position the locking member 44 is positively held from slidable movement relative to the body I0, thus preventing the ears 5I and 52 from being moved out of the path of the projections 21, 29, 35, and 36 of the wings I1 and I9. As a result the wings can not be pivoted and the entire locking device is held from operation.

When it is desired to provide a positive pocket lock, the locking members 54 and 55 are swung into the locked position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings after the fastening member 40 is engaged between the wings I1 and I9. When this action has been taken, it is necessary rst to pivot the locking members 54 and 55 out of locked position before the apparatus can be unlocked by inward pressure against the wings I1 and I9. As a result it is extremely diicult, or virtually impossible, to unlock the pocket and to move the contents without providing warning.

Flanges 65 and 66 extend in opposed vertical relation from the top and bottom channel sides II and I2, respectively. These flanges have spaced apertures 61 therethrough to accommodate fastening means for anchoring the ilanges to the rear wall of the pocket. The front pocket wall is indicated at 69, and the rear pocket wall at 10. The device may be relatively small in actual practice, and preferably extends inwardly from the inner pocket wall. Accordingly, in the preferred mounting arrangement of my device, the flanges 65 and 66 are secured tothe inner face of the rear wall 10 of the pocket, whereas the fastener 4I] is attached to the inner face of the front wall 69 of the pocket. the shank of the fastener 4I) extending through an aperture 1I. provided in the wall 10. This arrangement is best understood from an inspection of Figure 5, although Figures 1, 3 and 4 are also helpful. A panel of material which cannot be cut with a pocket knife or scissors may, if desired, extend over the outer side of the pocket to prevent the pocket from being slit open beneath the locking device.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have describedthe principles of construction and operation of my pocket'burglar alarm, and while I have endeavored to setforth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that these are only illustrative thereof, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A pocket burglar alarm comprising a channel shaped body having spaced side portions and a bridging portion connecting with said side portions, a pair of wings pivotally secured to said body between said side portions thereof, said wings extending into edge abutting relationship, means normally urging said wings into contact and resisting pivotal movement thereof, and locking means for locking said wings against pivotal movement from said abutting relationship, said locking being accomplished by movement of said locking means into the path of movement of a portion of said wings to there-b3r produce obstructive interference with said portion.

2. The construction described in claim 1 in which the means for urging the wings together comprises a generally cylindrical spring secured to the channel shaped body and longitudinally split, the spring being connected to the wings on opposite sides of the split.

3. The construction described in claim 1 in which the locking member for holding the wings from pivotal motion is slidably supported and including means for holding said slidable member from sliding.

4. A pocket burglar alarm including a channel shaped member, a pair of wings pivotally secured to said member, said wings being provided with opposed edges that may abut, means urging said wings toward edge abutting relation, latch means engageable by the edges of said wings when in edge abutting relation, a second channel shaped member in telescoping relation with the rst channel shaped member, means connecting said channel shaped members for limited relative slidable movement, resilient means normally biasing said channel shaped members apart, and locking means on said second channel shaped member locking said wings against pivotal movement from edge abutting relation when said second channel is in one slidable position to thereby maintain engagement of said wings with said latch means.

5. The construction described in claim 4 and including means for holding said channel shaped members from relative slidable movement.

6. A pocket burglar alarm including a supporting body designed for attachment to one side of a pocket, a cooperable fastener designed for attachment to the other side of the pocket, said fastener having a head, and a pair of wings pivotally connected to the body and having 7 clamping portions.; said; WingsL beingV resilientii biasedsoftbatmidzclampingportions aremoved into' locking; engagement; 1with said head;

7;. The. constnuotinrr described` in claim 6 in which aspring:ccmiprising'V a generally: cylindrical spring sleeve. longitudinally; split andconnected to the wings.onioizvpostel sidesofthe split acts upon said: wings, tovrmczvle.I said clamping PQiftiOns into;v locking; engagementd with; the head.

8.-. Aapocketfbnrglar alanmzinnludinglasupporting body designedA for: attachment tof one'side of a pocket, a cooperable;fastenerfdesigned for attachment to; the; o t-hen` side 0i thepocket, a pair of wings pivotally:connectedtthe body and having clamping portions, said1wngsbeing:resilientiy biased irra directionsa thatclamping-portions 8 are moved into substantially abutting` relationship with each other, saidfastener havingv means engageable Withosaidi clamping portions whenin substantially7 abutting relationship for looking said fastener with said clampingI portions.

ALLAN J. CONOLLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record; in'. the file of` this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Dato 412,966 Woodsford Oct. 15, 1889 2,385,163 Riedel Sept. 18, 1.945

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